By Douglas V. Gibbs

Sitting Down With The Producer of Forgotten Heroes

The aroma of Italian home cooking filled the restaurant as Jack Marino and I sat down for a little lunch. Our meeting was planned so that we could meet in person for the first time, and so that we may discuss strategies for selling more copies of his movie, Forgotten Heroes. He brought me a new copy of the movie for me to buy, since I had given away my previous copy to someone who needed it more than me - a Vietnam Veteran.

Thanking the Vietnam War Veterans was the primary motive behind the creation of the film. After realizing that Hollywood’s films about Vietnam Vets were designed to portray these warriors in a bad light, Jack Marino set out to create a film that thanked the Vietnam troops, and welcome them home. From that desire, he wrote, directed, and produced Forgotten Heroes.

Jack Marino began his journey in Boston, where his love of movies led to an acting on the stage, specifically specializing in Shakespeare.  Marino also was a movie buff, watching movies over and over, paying attention to the dynamics of the picture, the complexities of the productions, and memorizing the lines and acting strategies of the performers.  Later, when directing his movies in Hollywood, a lot of his style emerged from him simply mimicking the greats of motion picture past.

The film, Forgotten Heroes, incorporates all that he has learned throughout the years, and except for a small hiccup or two, watching the film you would not know that it is a low budget, independent film.  The work is surprisingly professional, shot in a manner that captures the Vietnam War, and portrays our Vietnam Vets as they really were, heroes that never lost touch with their humanity.

Hollywood royalty, however, rejected the film, despite accolades from critics, and the professionalism of the finished product. As the major distributors turned their backs on the film, Jack Marino’s fighting spirit took hold, and he vowed to get the movie out there to the public, even if it meant distributing it himself.

The film, starring William Smith as a Russian General attempting to defect during the Vietnam conflict, packs action and humanity into a tight package. While leading the Russian defecter through the jungles of Cambodia, the United States Marines accompanying him, while originally untrusting and victims of their own stereotypes of Soviets, learn that their prize is more than just another communist.

In addition to being a fantastic film, when you purchase Forgotten Heroes $5 of the purchase price is donated to the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial Fund.

When you decide to buy a copy of the DVD, if you can, I suggest you buy more than one copy. Have a few as gifts to your friends and family, and one more copy to give to a Vietnam Veteran that will appreciate this fine theatrical work.

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